Storage container for drug portion storage and dispensing

ABSTRACT

A storage container for drug portion storage and dispensing includes a housing having a cylindrical section and surrounding a receiving space for drug portions, a sorting mechanism rotatably disposed in the cylindrical section and including a main body, the main body forming a conical top surface and a main body casing surface, a plurality of projections formed on the main body casing surface, a plurality of channels, each channel formed between the projections, having a circumferential width and a radial depth, the projections further forming projection outer contours which define a cylindrical outer casing surface interrupted by the channels, and an axial projection having a height and an outer contour is arranged centrally on the conical top surface, wherein a maximum radial distance between the outer contour and the cylindrical outer casing surface is less than two times the circumferential width of one channel in the plurality of channels.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a storage container for drugs and, in particular, to a storage container for a drug storage and dispensing station.

BACKGROUND

Modern blister packing machines include multiple storage and dispensing stations. Such machines store a plurality of drug portions of a specific drug and dispense individual drug portions upon request. According to physician-prescribed drug administration times, drug portions stored in the storage and dispensing stations are gathered and blister packed on an individual basis for each patient.

A blister packing machine control device typically activates storage and dispensing stations for dispensing one or more drug portions. Upon activation by a blister packing machine control device, a drug portion stored in the storage container is separated by a sorting mechanism of the storage and dispensing station, and the drug portion is transferred to a dispensing opening of a guide apparatus of the blister packing machine. The drug portion is conveyed via the guide apparatus to a packing apparatus, which blister packs individual or multiple drug portions.

In many drug packaging settings, it is desirable to provide a storage container of a storage and dispensing station that reduces failure of drug portion dispensing.

SUMMARY

In one or more embodiments, the present disclosure provides a storage container for drug portion storage and dispensing. The storage container includes a housing having a cylindrical section and surrounding a receiving space for drug portions, a sorting mechanism rotatably disposed within the cylindrical section and including a main body, the main body forming a conical top surface and a main body casing surface, a plurality of projections formed on the main body casing surface, a plurality of channels, each channel formed between the projections and having a circumferential width and a radial depth, the projections further forming projection outer contours which define a cylindrical outer casing surface interrupted by the channels, and an axial projection having a height and an outer contour, the axial projection arranged centrally on the conical top surface, wherein a maximum radial distance between the outer contour and the cylindrical outer casing surface is less than two times the circumferential width of at least one channel of the plurality of channels.

The axial projection may be cylindrically formed. The axial projection may include a circular bottom surface. The axial projection may be, at least in sections, formed vertically. The axial projection may have an a conical top surface. The height of the axial projection may be greater than one half the radial depth of the one channel. An annular space may be formed above the plurality of projections, the annular space being defined on one side by the main body. A plurality of elevations may be arranged, at least in sections, on the conical top surface. The elevations may be oriented radially in relation to the channels.

In one or more embodiments, the present disclosure provides a storage container for drug portion storage and dispensing, including a housing having a cylindrical section, a sorting mechanism rotatably disposed within the cylindrical section and including a plurality of projections, a plurality of channels, each channel formed between the projections and having a circumferential width, the projections further forming projection outer contours which define a cylindrical outer casing surface interrupted by the channels, and an axial projection having an outer contour, wherein a maximum radial distance between the outer contour and the cylindrical outer casing surface is less than two times the circumferential width of at least one channel of the plurality of channels.

The axial projection may be cylindrically formed. The axial projection may include a circular bottom surface. The axial projection may be, at least in sections, formed vertically. The axial projection may have a conical top surface. An annular space may be formed above the plurality of projections, the annular space being defined in part by the sorting mechanism.

In one or more embodiments, the present disclosure provides a drug packaging system having a plurality of storage and dispensing stations, each storage and dispensing station having at least one storage container, including a housing having a cylindrical section and surrounding a receiving space for drug portions, a sorting mechanism rotatably disposed within the cylindrical section and including a main body, the main body forming a conical top surface and a main body casing surface, a plurality of projections formed on the main body casing surface, a plurality of channels, each channel formed between the projections and having a circumferential width and a radial depth, the projections further forming projection outer contours which define a cylindrical outer casing surface interrupted by the channels, and an axial projection having a height and an outer contour, the axial projection arranged centrally on the conical top surface, wherein a maximum radial distance between the outer contour and the cylindrical outer casing surface is less than two times the circumferential width of at least one channel of the plurality of channels.

The axial projection may be cylindrically formed. The axial projection may have a conical top surface. The height of the axial projection may be greater than one half the radial depth of the at least one channel. An annular space may be formed above the plurality of projections, the annular space being defined in part by the main body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The device according to the present disclosure and the method according to the present disclosure are described in greater detail below, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1a is a perspective view of a storage container according to exemplary embodiments of the present the disclosure.

FIG. 1b is a perspective view of the storage container of FIG. 1 a, having a removable lid removed.

FIG. 1c is a top view of the storage container of FIG. 1 b.

FIG. 1d is a top view of the storage container of FIG. 1 c, having a sorting mechanism removed.

FIG. 2a is a perspective view of the storage container of FIG. 1 b.

FIGS. 2b-2d are cross-sectional views of the storage container of FIG. 1 b.

FIG. 3a is a perspective view of a sorting mechanism according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3b is a top view of the sorting mechanism of FIG. 3 a.

FIG. 3c is a side view of the sorting mechanism of FIG. 3 a.

FIG. 4 illustrates the sorting mechanism of FIG. 3a disposed within a cylindrical housing section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below describes various configurations of the subject technology and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the subject technology may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the subject technology. Accordingly, dimensions are provided in regard to certain aspects as non-limiting examples. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject technology may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the subject technology.

It is to be understood that the present disclosure includes examples of the subject technology and does not limit the scope of the appended claims. Various aspects of the subject technology will now be disclosed according to particular but non-limiting examples. Various embodiments described in the present disclosure may be carried out in different ways and variations, and in accordance with a desired application or implementation.

The typical sorting mechanism includes a rotor, and an outer circumference of the rotor is defined by a plurality of projections. Disposed between each pair of projections is a channel extending parallel to a rotational axis of the rotor. A width and a radial depth of these projections are adapted to the drug portion to be separated and dispensed. In such a channel, drug portions are situated only above one another, not next to one another. A given channel accommodates one or more drug portions, depending on the given channel's axial length.

A housing of the storage container, disposed above and/or around the sorting mechanism, defines a receiving space for drug portions. The sorting mechanism has a top surface which abuts the receiving space. The top surface may include a conical shape for the purpose of guiding the drug portions to channel openings. Such a design of the top surface prevents the drug portions from remaining stationary thereon, and prevents dispensing malfunctions.

The channel is rotated by a rotation of the sorting mechanism over a dispensing opening. The dispensable drug portion then falls from the channel through the dispensing opening due to gravity. Detents are provided over or inside the channel to prevent multiple drug portions from being dispensed at once.

Despite the conical design of the top surface of the sorting mechanism, drug portions nevertheless may become situated on the top surface such that the drug portion does not pass into a channel. This may result in a malfunction, wherein the drug portion is not dispensed following a rotation of the sorting mechanism.

A storage container according to the present disclosure reduces the occurrence of a drug dispensing malfunction, as described above, whereby one or more drug portions are not properly dispensed and/or arranged.

To reduce errors when assembling multiple drug portions, it is advantageous to detect the actual dispensing of a drug portion. If a malfunction, including a failure to dispense a drug portion, is detected, another dispensing procedure must be performed. The required use of another dispensing method delays the assembly of multiple drug portions and reduces the overall speed and efficiency of a blister packing machine.

The present disclosure provides a storage container for storage and dispensing stations with an increased drug portion dispensing rate, and thus a reduced malfunction rate.

The storage container according to the present disclosure includes a housing having a cylindrical section and further includes a receiving space for drug portions. The storage container of the present disclosure also includes a sorting mechanism having a main body rotatably disposed within the cylindrical section of the housing.

The main body features a conical top surface and a main body casing surface on which a plurality of projections is formed. These projections define channels with a circumferential width K_(B) and a radial depth K_(T), and the projection outer contours of the projections define a cylindrical outer casing surface interrupted by the channels.

According to the present disclosure, an axial projection with a height V_(H) and an outer contour V_(AK) is arranged centrally on the conical top surface, the axial projection being formed such that a maximum radial distance V_(Amax) between outer contour V_(AK) and the cylindrical outer casing surface is less than two times the circumferential width K_(B) of one of the channels.

This configuration of the axial projection ensures that no two drug portions can lie flat radially next to one another on the top surface between outer contour V_(AK) and the cylindrical section of the housing provided that the channel width is only slightly larger than the diameter of the largest drug.

Such an arrangement of two drug portions may be, particularly in the case of flat and round drug portions, a cause of a dispensing failure. In such a case, since a plurality of drug portions are arranged radially next to one another and exert a corresponding pressure on each other, the drug portions may not be able to enter a channel.

Due to the maximum radial distance between the outer contour V_(AK) of the axial projection and the cylindrical outer casing surface being less than two times the circumferential width K_(B) of one of the channels, a radial arrangement of two drug portions next to one another is prevented, thus avoiding a dispensing failure and allowing the drug portions to enter the channel unhindered.

If the criteria presented above are satisfied, an actual configuration of the axial projection depends on the particular shape of the drug portions to be sorted. The maximum radial distance between the outer contour of the axial projection and the cylindrical outer casing surface can be uniform, such as a cylindrical projection, or angle-dependent, such as a cylindrical projection with an angular bottom surface. Further, a cylindrical configuration of the projection may ease manufacturing costs and design difficulties related to the sorting mechanism.

In some embodiments, the axial projection includes a circular bottom surface. This allows an axial projection that, at least in some sections, is cylindrical or conical. In some embodiments, the axial projection is vertical in at least some sections. At a transition between the conical top surface and the axial projection, a curved transition can be formed that prevents the accumulation of dust and/or drug debris.

In some embodiments, the axial projection has a fully or partially projection conical top surface. Such a top surface prevents a drug portion from resting on the top surface, and instead directs the drug portion into the outer area of the sorting mechanism towards the openings of the channels.

As described above, an object of the axial projection is to prevent two drug portions from being situated radially next to one another. Depending on the exact form of the drug portions, the height of the axial projection may be only a fraction of the radius of the drug portion.

However, particularly if flat disc-shaped drug portions are to be sorted, the axial projection may have a height V_(H) that is greater than one half of the radial depth K_(T) of a channel. In this way, it is ensured that a drug portion does not slip at least partly onto the projections if appropriate pressure is applied from gravitational pressure from other drug portions, thus preventing a situation where two drug portions are arranged radially next to one another on the top surface and the projection.

The channels for receiving drug portions to be sorted may be open to the cylindrical outer casing surface of the sorting mechanism defined by the projection outer contours of the projections, and the radial channel depth is adapted to the maximum height of the drug portion.

In some embodiments, an annular space is formed above the projections. The annular space is bordered by the main body, and a radial width of the annular space corresponds to the radial channel depth.

The annular space facilitates the drug portions being oriented toward a channel entrance, as the drug portions can enter the annular space only in the orientation in which they can pass into the channels. An annular space of this type is particularly advantageous in the case of disc-shaped drug portions, since it may be otherwise difficult for the disc-shaped drug portions to pass from the conical top surface into the channels.

Disc-shaped drug portions may be oriented with their flat side facing the conical top surface. Whether or not the drug portions remain in a stationary manner on the top surface or the top surface rotates away from the overlying drug portions depends on a fill level of the storage container.

If the fill level is high, the pressure from the weight of the overlying drug portions is large, impeding movement into the channels or the annular space. To facilitate a tipping of the disc-shaped drug portions into the channels and/or annular space, embodiments of the present disclosure provide multiple elevations arranged on the conical top surface of the main body. Further, in some embodiments, these elevations are oriented radially with respect to the channels.

Turning to FIGS. 1a -1 d, a storage container 1 according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure includes a housing 10 surrounding a receiving space 2 for drug portions, and further includes a cylindrical section 11 and a lower section 12. The housing 10 includes a removable lid 13 and a bottom surface 20. The bottom surface 20 includes a dispensing opening 21 for drug portions, as best shown in FIG. 1 d. The bottom surface 20 has a central recess 22 in which a coupler 37, best shown in FIG. 3c , interacting with a sorting mechanism 30 is arranged. The coupler 37 can be, in exemplary embodiments, either a separate component from the sorting mechanism 30 or integrally formed with the sorting mechanism 30. The coupler 37 interacts with a drive (not shown) by which the sorting mechanism is rotated for dispensing separate drug portions.

The drive is arranged in a control unit (not shown) of the storage and dispensing station. The storage container 1 is realized, in exemplary embodiments, as a separate component from the control unit. Such an arrangement enables the storage container 1 to be removed from a blister packing machine by a handle 14, for refilling or filling the storage container 1 with drugs, while the control unit remains on the blister packing machine.

As shown in FIG. 1 c, the sorting mechanism 30 is rotatably disposed in the cylindrical section 11 of the housing 10. The sorting mechanism 30 includes a conical top surface 32 and a main body casing surface 70, on which a plurality of projections 34 defining a plurality of channels 35 are formed. The projection outer contours 55 of the projections 34 form a cylindrical outer casing surface 36 interrupted by channels 35 and abutting the housing 10 at the cylindrical section 11.

In the figures, the sorting mechanism 30 is formed as a rotor and the channels 35 are arranged on the cylindrical outer casing surface 36. In some embodiments, the channels 35 can also be designed such that they do not open towards the cylindrical outer casing surface 36 of the sorting mechanism 30. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the projections 34 are formed to be integral with a main body 31. In one or more embodiments, the projections 34 can be formed as separate components from the main body 31 to enable the sorting mechanism 30 to be adapted for different drugs.

As shown in FIG. 1 c, a plurality of elevations 39 is arranged on the conical top surface 32 adjacent to a channel 35. These elevations 39 facilitate a tipping of drug portions into a channel 35, as will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 1 b, a detent 15 is disposed on the cylindrical section 11 of the housing 10, the detent 15 including a detent section 18 extending through a slit 16 into the cylindrical section 11 of the housing 10.

A storage and dispensing station including the storage container 1 according to embodiments of the present disclosure further includes components which regulate and/or control the dispensing and/or sorting of drugs. While the aforementioned drive for moving the sorting mechanism 30 and a sensor (not shown) for monitoring the dispensing of a drug portion may be arranged in the control unit, the drive and/or the sensor can also be part of the storage container 1 in some embodiments. In exemplary embodiments, the drive and/or the sensor are arranged in the lower section 12 of the storage container 1.

Turning to FIGS. 2a -2 d, the sorting mechanism 30 includes an axial projection 40 centered on the main body 31. The axial projection 40 is, in some embodiments, formed as an integral piece with the main body 31. In some embodiments, the axial projection 40 is formed as a separate part and attached to the main body 31. The axial projection 40 includes a circular bottom surface 60 and is designed to be cylindrical parallel to a rotational axis 50 of the sorting mechanism 30 along a middle section 42.

The projections 34, in exemplary embodiments, are of a two-piece construction and surround a gap 45 in an axial direction. A detent section 18 of the detent 15 engages the gap 45. Detent 15 is arranged on the cylindrical section 11 of the housing 10, such that the detent section 18 is always arranged over the dispensing opening 21, as best shown in FIGS. 2c and 2d . This arrangement of the detent section 18 ensures that drug portions arranged above the detent section 18 in a channel 35 are not dispensed when a channel 35 of the sorting mechanism 30 is oriented above the dispensing opening 21. Only a drug portion located below the detent section 18 is dispensed when a channel 35 is oriented above the dispensing opening 21.

The conical top surface 32 does not directly contact the surface of the projections 34, but rather the projections 34 are disposed below the conical top surface 32, thus forming above the projections 34 an annular space 38 defined by the main body 31 and the cylindrical section 11 of the housing 10. This annular space 38 facilitates the guiding of drug portions to the channels 35, as will be described in greater detail below.

FIGS. 3a -3c show detailed views of the sorting mechanism 30 of the storage container 1 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The sorting mechanism 30 includes a main body 31 with a conical top surface 32, and a main body casing surface 70 on which a plurality of projections 34 is formed which define channels 35 having a circumferential width K_(B) and a radial depth K_(T). The projections 34 are formed integrally with the main body 31. The projection outer contours 55 of the projections 34, and a circular spatial connection therebetween, form the cylindrical outer casing surface 36 interrupted by channels 35. The cylindrical outer casing surface 36 is represented as a dashed circular line in FIG. 3 b.

As shown in FIGS. 3a and 3c , the projections 34 have a circumferential annular gap 45 which, as was described above, the detent section 18 engages. As also described above, the projections 34 are offset downward relative to the conical top surface 32, thus forming the annular space 38 above the projections 34. The annular space 38 is defined by the main body 31 and the cylindrical section 11 of the housing 10.

A plurality of elevations 39 is arranged on the conical top surface 32, which supports a tipping of a drug portion into a channel 35. This is shown in FIG. 3c , in which a drug portion 5 is shown disposed on an elevation 39. Due to the elevation 39, the flat-shaped drug portion 5 is tipped into the annular space 38. The elevations 39 thus facilitate drug portions being situated quickly and efficiently first in the annular space 38 and then in the channels 35.

In addition, the axial projection 40 is formed on the center of the conical top surface 32. The axial projection 40 includes a circular bottom surface 60 and a vertically oriented middle section 42. The vertically oriented middle section 42 forms the outer contour V_(AK)/41 of the axial projection 40. The outer contour V_(AK)/41 of the axial projection 40 determines the maximum radial distance V_(Amax) between the outer contour V_(AK)/41 and the cylindrical outer casing surface 36 defined by the projections 34. Depending on the configuration of the projections 34, the maximum radial distance V_(Amax) can vary if the main body 31 has, for example, a square or any non-circular cross section, or the maximum radial distance V_(Amax) can be uniform, as is the case with illustrated embodiments. In some embodiments, the axial projection 40 has a conical top surface 43.

FIG. 3c shows a coupler 37 via which the sorting mechanism 30 is coupled to a drive (not shown) which rotates the sorting mechanism 30 incrementally for sorting drug portions. The coupler 37 can be formed as a separate component from the sorting mechanism 30, or can be formed integrally with the main body 31 of the sorting mechanism 30.

In exemplary embodiments, the maximum radial distance V_(Amax) specified above is less than two times the circumferential width K_(B) of a channel 35. As show in FIG. 4, this prevents two drug portions 5 from being able to situate themselves radially next to one another in a flat orientation on the conical top surface 32, thereby preventing a malfunction where the drug portions are not properly dispensed.

The present disclosure is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. The disclosure provides various examples of the subject technology, and the subject technology is not limited to these examples. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects.

A reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. Pronouns in the masculine (e.g., his) include the feminine and neuter gender (e.g., her and its) and vice versa. Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and do not limit the subject technology.

The word “exemplary” or the term “for example” is used herein to mean “serving as an example or illustration.” Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” or “for example” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. In one aspect, various alternative configurations and operations described herein may be considered to be at least equivalent.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one of preceding a series of items, with the term “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each item of the list. The phrase “at least one of does not require selection of at least one item; rather, the phrase allows a meaning that includes at least one of any one of the items, and/or at least one of any combination of the items, and/or at least one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrase “at least one of A, B, or C” may refer to: only A, only B, or only C; or any combination of A, B, and C.

A phrase such as an “aspect” does not imply that such aspect is essential to the subject technology or that such aspect applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an aspect may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. An aspect may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as an aspect may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa. A phrase such as an “embodiment” does not imply that such embodiment is essential to the subject technology or that such embodiment applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an embodiment may apply to all embodiments, or one or more embodiments. An embodiment may provide one or more examples. A phrase such an embodiment may refer to one or more embodiments and vice versa. A phrase such as a “configuration” does not imply that such configuration is essential to the subject technology or that such configuration applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to a configuration may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A configuration may provide one or more examples. A phrase such a configuration may refer to one or more configurations and vice versa.

In one aspect, unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, and other specifications that are set forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, not exact. In one aspect, they are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain.

It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps, operations or processes disclosed is an illustration of exemplary approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps, operations or processes may be rearranged. Some of the steps, operations or processes may be performed simultaneously. Some or all of the steps, operations, or processes may be performed automatically, without the intervention of a user. The accompanying method claims, if any, present elements of the various steps, operations or processes in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “step for.” Furthermore, to the extent that the term “include,” “have,” or the like is used, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprise” as “comprise” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

The Title, Background, Summary, Brief Description of the Drawings and Abstract of the disclosure are hereby incorporated into the disclosure and are provided as illustrative examples of the disclosure, not as restrictive descriptions. It is submitted with the understanding that they will not be used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the Detailed Description, it can be seen that the description provides illustrative examples and the various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed subject matter requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed configuration or operation. The following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

The claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects described herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims and to encompass all legal equivalents. Notwithstanding, none of the claims are intended to embrace subject matter that fails to satisfy the requirement of 35 U.S.C. § 101, 102 or 103, nor should they be interpreted in such a way. 

1. A storage container for drug portion storage and dispensing, comprising: a housing having a cylindrical section and surrounding a receiving space for drug portions; a sorting mechanism rotatably disposed within the cylindrical section and including a main body, the main body forming a conical top surface and a main body casing surface; a plurality of projections formed on the main body casing surface; a plurality of channels, each channel formed between the projections and having a circumferential width and a radial depth, the projections further forming projection outer contours which define a cylindrical outer casing surface interrupted by the channels; and an axial projection having a height and an outer contour, the outer contour forming a cylinder arranged centrally on top of the conical top surface, wherein a maximum radial distance between the axial projection outer contour and the cylindrical outer casing surface is less than two times the circumferential width of at least one channel of the plurality of channels.
 2. (canceled)
 3. The storage container of claim 1, wherein the axial projection includes a circular bottom surface.
 4. The storage container of claim 1, wherein the axial projection is, at least in one or more sections, formed vertically.
 5. The storage container of claim 1, wherein the axial projection has a conical top surface.
 6. The storage container of claim 1, wherein the height of the axial projection is greater than one half the radial depth of the at least one channel.
 7. The storage container of claim 1, wherein an annular space is formed above the plurality of projections, the annular space being defined in part by the main body.
 8. The storage container of claim 1, wherein a plurality of elevations is arranged, at least in sections, on the conical top surface.
 9. The storage container of claim 8, wherein the elevations are oriented radially in relation to the channels.
 10. A storage container for drug portion storage and dispensing, comprising: a housing having a cylindrical section; a sorting mechanism rotatably disposed within the cylindrical section and including a plurality of projections; a plurality of channels, each channel formed between the projections and having a circumferential width, the projections further forming projection outer contours which define a cylindrical outer casing surface interrupted by the channels; and an axial projection having an outer contour forming a cylinder, wherein a maximum radial distance between the outer contour and the cylindrical outer casing surface is less than two times the circumferential width of at least one channel of the plurality of channels.
 11. (canceled)
 12. The storage container of claim 10, wherein the axial projection includes a circular bottom surface.
 13. The storage container of claim 10, wherein at least one section of the axial projection is vertical.
 14. The storage container of claim 10, wherein the axial projection has a conical top surface.
 15. The storage container of claim 10, wherein an annular space is formed above the plurality of projections, the annular space being defined in part by the sorting mechanism.
 16. A drug packaging system having a plurality of storage and dispensing stations, each storage and dispensing station having at least one storage container, comprising: a housing having a cylindrical section and surrounding a receiving space for drug portions; a sorting mechanism rotatably disposed within the cylindrical section and including a main body, the main body forming a conical top surface and a main body casing surface; a plurality of projections formed on the main body casing surface; a plurality of channels, each channel formed between the projections and having a circumferential width and a radial depth, the projections further forming projection outer contours which define a cylindrical outer casing surface interrupted by the channels; and an axial projection having a height and an outer contour, the outer contour forming a cylinder arranged centrally on the conical top surface, wherein a maximum radial distance between the outer contour and the cylindrical outer casing surface is less than two times the circumferential width of at least one channel of the plurality of channels.
 17. (canceled)
 18. The drug packaging system of claim 16, wherein the axial projection has a conical top surface.
 19. The drug packaging system of claim 16, wherein the height of the axial projection is greater than one half the radial depth of the at least one channel.
 20. The drug packaging system of claim 16, wherein an annular space is formed above the plurality of projections, the annular space being defined in part by the main body. 